STREAMLINING OFFSHORE FINFISH MARICULTURE SITING AND PERMITTING IN FLORIDA STATE WATERS OF THE GULF OF MEXICO

The limited development of food fish mariculture in the United States can be largely attributed to a lack of a coherent and unified permitting and leasing process at the federal level. Florida, however, is uniquely positioned to provide a streamlined and environmentally sustainable regulatory climate for fin fish mariculture in state waters. A singular state agency, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Aquaculture (FDACS), has the authority to regulate and authorize all aquaculture activities in the state, including granting sovereignty submerged lands leases through a streamlined process (Figure 1) and comprehensive marine net pen regulations.

To spur develop this industry, FDACS has concurrent projects underway that will provide a pathway for fin fish mariculture in state waters. A technical advisory committee has been formed, including aquaculture experts, engineers and stakeholders, to identify operation and production requirements which will ensure the development of feasible, realistic and environmentally sustainable permits and regulations. A marine spatial planning project has been conducted for state waters (3-9 nm) along the western coastline of Florida to identify suitable areas for mariculture development. FDACS is engaging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to obtain programmatic general permits that will substantially streamline permit requirements and timelines. FDACS is also planning to conduct baseline environmental surveys and pre-permit a mariculture use zone(s) in state waters off the Florida panhandle.